Project Experience

Civic & Community

Houses of Worship

About These Projects

A WORSHIP SERVICE usually contains three major acoustical components: spoken word, devotional music, and congregational singing. A house of worship with properly designed acoustics and a sound system that works in harmony with the space can enhance the services.

The following projects represent BKL’s wide range of experience in churches—from monasteries to contemporary houses of worship, and from new designs to renovations.

Common Acoustical Challenges:

Balancing speech, music and singing
Speech intelligibility
Sound system integration
Exterior noise intrusion
Mechanical noise
Heritage interiors

Canadian Martyrs Church

Richmond, BC

BKL provided comprehensive acoustical and noise isolation design for this new church, parish hall, and attached school. Features include a glass wall between the sanctuary and narthex, sound-isolated crying room, and excellent acoustics.

Christ Church Cathedral

Vancouver, BC

For the cathedral’s restoration, BKL assessed existing acoustical conditions and designed remedial measures to isolate traffic noise, suppress ventilation noise, and improve the character of reverberation.

Christ Worship Centre

Vancouver, BC

BKL handled acoustical design of the sanctuary and made recommendations for interior finishes and wall construction to improve noise isolation and control HVAC system noise.

Christian Life Assembly

Langley, BC

BKL reviewed the acoustical design for all renovated buildings and made recommendations for sound isolation, and to control reverberation and background interior noise levels.

Coastal Church

Vancouver, BC

During interior renovations to a downtown heritage church, BKL provided recommendations that improved acoustics and, at the same time, maintained heritage interior appearance.

Eagle Ridge Bible Fellowship

Coquitlam, BC

BKL consulted on acoustical design of the sanctuary for the new church building and consulted HVAC system noise control.

First Baptist Church

Vancouver, BC

For the redevelopment of First Baptist Church, the adjacent Pinder Hall, and other facilities, BKL provided internal and external sound isolation, mechanical systems noise control, and design recommendations for room acoustics.

Fu Hui Buddhist Temple

Vancouver, BC

BKL consulted on controlling exterior noise penetration and designed room acoustics for the sanctuary, kitchen, and community room.

Latter Day Saints Temple

Vancouver, BC

BKL provided acoustical design of temple room interior finishes and room enclosures, and recommendations for controlling noise from building services, external chillers, and other mechanical equipment.

St. Joseph’s Church

Langley, BC

BKL measured, modelled, and analyzed existing room acoustics and made recommendations for acoustical treatment to improve speech intelligibility.

St. Rita’s Catholic Church

Castlegar, BC

After St. Rita’s sanctuary was destroyed by arson 2013, BKL provided full acoustical design services for the rebuild, including the chancel, sanctuary, daycare, meeting rooms, and church offices.

Richmond Jamatkhana

Richmond, BC

BKL provided acoustical design for prayer hall, social hall, and classrooms including room acoustics and noise control recommendations to limit noise from the HVAC system and overhead aircraft approaching and departing YVR.

Kamloops Full Gospel Church

Kamloops, BC

BKL evaluated sanctuary acoustics on-site, assessed deficiencies, and made recommendations to improve the acoustics.

Star of the Sea Church

Surrey, BC

BKL designed the room acoustics and sound system for the sanctuary of this new Roman Catholic church. Design includes a wavy wall to diffuse reflections from the circular rear wall.

Vancouver Chinese Evangelical Church

Vancouver, BC

BKL made acoustical recommendations for interior finishes in the sanctuary and fellowship halls, and consulted on noise isolation for the sanctuary.

Featured Case Study

Civic & Community

The Butterfly + First Baptist Church Complex

The Butterfly + First Baptist Church Complex is a landmark mixed-use development in downtown Vancouver, born from a unique partnership between architects, developers, and a religious institution. This project reimagines church-owned land as a vertical village, integrating community, culture, and contemporary design. It combines the meticulous restoration and expansion of the historic 1911 First Baptist Church – a cherished Gothic Revival landmark – with a new mid-rise affordable rental building and an iconic 57-storey residential condominium tower. The project addresses urban densification by introducing a new typology for vertical living that is design-forward and community-focused. The Butterfly tower's sculpted, flowing facade, inspired by natural forms, contracts to the enduring heritage architecture of the church, symbolizing Vancouver's evolving urban spirit. The project encompasses a wide range of spaces, including worship areas, commercial retail, residential suites, and extensive amenities including a swimming pool, gym, and lounge. Integrating high-rise living with the spiritual and cultural programs of a restored church presented a unique acoustical challenge: creating quiet, comfortable homes adjacent to active public, worship, and social spaces, all within a vibrant urban setting. As the acoustical consultant for this complex and multifaceted project, BKL was tasked with ensuring a high-quality sonic environment for all its diverse functions. The scope of services was comprehensive, addressing the challenges presented by the blend of heritage performance spaces, modern residential suites, and commercial amenities. BKL's work was structured around several key areas: Working with Westbank, Revery Architecture, and the rest of the design-build team, BKL's integrated acoustical design was essential to realizing the project's vision of a harmonious and high-performance mixed-use environment. The solutions directly supported the complex's diverse needs by: BKL's work helped ensure that The Butterfly + First Baptist Church Complex is not only an architectural icon but also a meticulously engineered environment where heritage and modernity, community and privacy, can thrive together. Image courtesy of Revery Architecture Inc. Have a project in mind? Get in touch today.

Learn More